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  • 🔫 Officer-involved shooting in Gilbert neighborhood 🚨 Public Town Hall Meeting You Dont't Want To Miss and more...

🔫 Officer-involved shooting in Gilbert neighborhood 🚨 Public Town Hall Meeting You Dont't Want To Miss and more...

Gilbert Local Pulse | Issue #068

Author

Lloyd Heath
January 22, 2024

In this issue of Gilbert Local Pulse

🌤️ Gilbert, AZ Local Weather

📅 Gilbert, AZ and Surrounding Area Events

🔫 Armed man dead after officer-involved shooting in Gilbert neighborhood

🚨 12 News: Teen Violence Town Hall Today At Chandler Gilbert Community College

💭 Town’s parks and rec vision is vast, pricey

⏳ One month left to register for Maricopa County Presidential Preference Election

🚔 Chandler police arrest Phoenix man as suspect in sexual assault

🔄 Some Gilbert council members are not seeking another term. What we know about their next moves

❤️ 100+ Women supports House of Refuge

🤝 2 EV groups teach boys, girls to give back

Upcoming

Armed man dead after officer-involved shooting in Gilbert neighborhood

Officer Involved Shootings Maricopa County 2024

A tragic incident unfolded in a Gilbert neighborhood on Sunday afternoon, resulting in a fatal police shooting. At around 2 p.m., Gilbert police were alerted to a situation involving a 40-year-old man with a gun near Greenfield and Warner roads, specifically at the intersection of Knox and Parcrest roads.

The police located the man sitting in a vehicle at an apartment complex in the area. Upon officers' approach, the man exited his vehicle, clad in a ballistic vest and armed with both a handgun and a rifle. Despite officers' commands to stop, the man advanced towards them, leading to the officers responding to what they perceived as a threat. As a result, the man was shot and pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has yet to be disclosed.

Officer Leyba, a Public Information Officer with the Gilbert Police Department, stated that this was an isolated incident. Fortunately, there were no other injuries reported among the officers or bystanders. The police have assured the public that there is no ongoing threat related to this event.

This incident marks the fifth officer-involved shooting in Maricopa County in 2024.

12 News: Teen Violence Town Hall Today At Chandler Gilbert Community College

In a bid to address the growing concern of teen violence, the community is being invited to play a critical role in finding solutions. A special event is being organized where community members will have the opportunity to engage with leaders and a panel of experts. The focus of this event is to delve deep into the root causes of teen violence and to collaboratively explore effective solutions to combat this issue in local neighborhoods.

This initiative reflects a commitment to open dialogue and community involvement, recognizing that the challenge of teen violence requires a collective effort. By bringing together a diverse range of voices and perspectives, the event aims to foster a comprehensive understanding of the factors driving teen violence and to identify practical, impactful strategies to address it. Click here for more information and to register.

Town’s parks and rec vision is vast, pricey

In Gilbert, Arizona, the town's capacity to support an active lifestyle has come under scrutiny, as evident from its low ranking of 97th among the nation's 100 largest municipalities in WalletHub's 2024 "Best and Worst Cities for an Active Lifestyle" list. The evaluation was based on budget, participation, sports, and outdoor amenities. Gilbert fell short due to a lack of tennis courts, playgrounds, and basketball hoops per capita.

Robert Carmona, Gilbert's Parks and Recreation Director, expressed concerns about the town's recreational infrastructure at a December council workshop, noting overcrowding in parks and programs since 2018. He presented 19 projects worth $723 million for the council's consideration, emphasizing the need for expansion and improvement due to the town's growing population, expected to reach 330,000 by 2030.

Gilbert's park system ranks last among Arizona cities in terms of amenities, with only 3% of its land developed for parks and recreation, far below the national average of 15%. Despite an increase in participation in aquatics, special events, and programs, many residents find the facilities overcrowded. In 2022, the town's parks, recreation facilities, and trails attracted 5.3 million visits, surpassing visits to the Grand Canyon and Diamondbacks home games.

Carmona highlighted the community's strong desire for more recreational amenities, with significant public input in the Parks & Recreation Master Plan. Top requests from residents include park development, multi-use paths, splash pads, an aquatic facility, dog parks, pickleball courts, sports fields, and a recreation center in southeast Gilbert. The town currently faces a shortage of baseball/softball and multi-use fields, with waiting lists for youth and adult sports.

Funding these projects is a significant challenge. Carmona noted that public-private partnerships are scarce due to current economic conditions. Council members discussed various aspects of funding and prioritizing projects, with emphasis on cost recovery and the importance of recreational amenities to the community's quality of life. The town manager stressed the balance between public and private operations, considering the impact on families' costs.

The council workshop revealed differing opinions on priorities, with some council members advocating for focusing on trails, regional parks, and full staffing before expanding facilities. The debate also touched on the potential of public-private partnerships and the need to phase project development due to financial constraints.

One month left to register for Maricopa County Presidential Preference Election

Maricopa County is gearing up for its Presidential Preference Election (PPE) scheduled for March 19, with the voter registration deadline fast approaching on February 20. This election allows residents to express their preference for the presidential candidates. However, in accordance with state law, only registered Republicans and Democrats are eligible to participate in this particular election.

Recorder Stephen Richer recently highlighted the importance of the upcoming PPE through a social media post, showcasing his personal voter dashboard view on the website BeBallotReady.Vote. This platform is an essential resource for residents to verify their registration status, familiarize themselves with critical election dates, and gain a broader understanding of the election process.

In addition to the PPE, residents of Tempe and Litchfield Park will participate in a Ballot by Mail election on March 12. This election will automatically provide ballots to all qualified voters residing within the city or town limits.

Maricopa County has a considerable voter base, with approximately 2.4 million active registered voters. As the election dates draw closer, residents are encouraged to check their registration status and prepare to participate in these crucial democratic processes.

Chandler police arrest Phoenix man as suspect in sexual assault

The Chandler Police Department recently apprehended a 24-year-old Phoenix man, Dexter Deshon Leroy Greyer, as the primary suspect in a sexual assault case. The incident reportedly occurred on January 5 near West Colt Road and North Bullmoose Drive in Chandler. Following a detailed report from the victim, including a description of the suspect and his vehicle, Greyer was arrested at his Phoenix residence on January 17.

Greyer faces multiple charges, including four counts of sexual assault, three counts of kidnapping, one count of sexual abuse, one count of criminal damage, and several unrelated outstanding warrants. The police noted that there was no indication of prior acquaintance between the victim and Greyer at the time of the incident.

This case highlights the ongoing efforts of the Chandler Police Department in addressing serious crimes within the community and ensuring the safety and justice for the victims of such offenses.

Some Gilbert council members are not seeking another term. What we know about their next moves

In the town of Gilbert, Arizona, a significant shift is unfolding within its Town Council. Councilmembers Kathy Tilque and Scott Anderson, both nearing the end of their respective first and second terms, have decided not to seek re-election in the upcoming August elections. While Tilque plans to retire from her role, Anderson has set his sights on the mayoral seat, challenging current Mayor Brigette Peterson and newcomer Shane Krauser, a former deputy county attorney.

This decision by Tilque and Anderson leaves two council seats open, sparking interest among local residents. So far, eight Gilbert residents have expressed their intention to run for these positions. The recent history of the Gilbert Town Council has been marked by a series of turnovers and resignations, often leading to internal conflicts. In 2020, four councilmembers resigned, and in 2022, two incumbents opted not to run for re-election. The council, despite hopes of overcoming internal disagreements with new members in January 2023, continued to struggle with infighting, necessitating mediation for ethical disputes.

Gilbert, once a farming community, is now grappling with the challenges of rapid growth and aging infrastructure, anticipating a complete buildout by 2030. This transformation has placed a significant emphasis on the town’s development and infrastructure needs.

Kathy Tilque, 64, announced her decision to retire on her Facebook page, citing a desire to enjoy time with her family while still in good health. She dismissed any suggestion that council disputes influenced her decision. Tilque, a former president and CEO of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, plans to focus on community projects, including the Gilbert Family Advocacy Center and the Community Engagement Task Force, in her remaining time on the council.

Scott Anderson, in contrast, is actively campaigning for the mayoral position. He kicked off his campaign earlier this month, emphasizing the need for effective leadership to guide Gilbert towards its future goals. Anderson criticized the council's current preoccupation with ethics complaints and lawsuits, advocating for a more forward-thinking approach.

As for the mayoral race, Peterson is running for a second term, highlighting her experience and readiness to tackle challenging decisions for the town. Krauser entered the race in December, setting the stage for a competitive election.

The eight residents who have shown interest in the two vacant council seats are Aaron Accurso, Kenny Buckland, Kyle Cole, Ryan Handelsman, Sharon Kotsonas, Monte Lyons, Noah Mundt, and James Roundy. These candidates must gather between 1,000 and 4,039 signatures from registered voters in Gilbert by April 8 to qualify for the ballot.

100+ Women supports House of Refuge

The House of Refuge in Mesa, Arizona, a nonprofit organization providing transitional housing and support services to families experiencing homelessness, has been actively working towards helping these families regain stability and self-sufficiency. Established in 1995, the House of Refuge operates 88 two-bedroom homes, a chapel, and an office building on the site of the former Williams Air Force Base. These facilities offer a safe and supportive environment for families in crisis.

The House of Refuge's services extend beyond just providing shelter. They include individualized case management, employment assistance, and educational support, all aimed at helping residents rebuild their lives. The organization works with various partners, including state, county, local government, community partners, and other faith-based organizations, to provide a comprehensive support system.

Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, the House of Refuge adapted its services to continue supporting its residents. Most of the services were either suspended or adjusted to comply with health guidelines, but the community managed to thrive with help from the broader community. Support and case management services were provided remotely, and children studying from home were given laptops and access points for remote learning.

The House of Refuge's Sixth Annual Gala, "The AACT Night of a Million Dreams," is scheduled for April 13, 2024. This major fundraising event will include a cocktail hour, gourmet dinner, live and silent auctions, and various entertainment activities. The Gala aims to bring together people to support homeless families, with a focus on helping them move into stable housing and prevent future homelessness. Tickets for the event are priced at $200 each, and various sponsorship opportunities are available.

2 EV groups teach boys, girls to give back

In the Southeast Valley, amidst concerns about negative youth activities, two nonprofits, the National Charity League (NCL) and boys team charity (btc), are highlighting the positive contributions of teens in their communities. Both organizations focus on encouraging teens and their parents to volunteer together, fostering a sense of community involvement and personal growth.

Wendy De Tata, leading the Santan chapter of btc, emphasizes the role of community service in providing a sense of purpose and value, particularly crucial in addressing challenges faced by young boys, such as high suicide rates. btc, founded in Phoenix in 2001 by two mothers seeking opportunities for their sons to contribute positively, has expanded rapidly and now boasts 40 chapters across nine states.

The NCL, a nearly century-old organization for mothers and daughters, is known for its hands-on approach to community service. The Santan chapter, headed by Lara Klinkner, currently has 209 members, mostly girls from seventh to twelfth grades. Their activities are not just about volunteering; they also include life skills training, such as etiquette lessons, resume writing, and job interview preparation.

Both organizations align their efforts with strengthening family bonds through joint volunteering activities. The NCL's current initiative is a book drive for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, inviting residents to donate new or gently used children's books. This project, along with btc's various activities, including cooking challenges and etiquette dinners, underscores the multifaceted approach of these organizations towards community service and personal development.

The membership drive for the NCL is ongoing this month, while btc plans its recruitment in the spring. De Tata and Klinkner both advocate for recognizing the numerous teens who are actively and positively impacting their communities, countering any overshadowing by less favorable news about youth.

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